Bicycle rim

Abstract

A rim for a bicycle wheel that includes a tire, hub and spokes. The bicycle rim generally includes a radially outer tire-engaging portion, a radially inner spoke-engaging portion, a first sidewall and a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall. The first and second sidewalls extend between the tire engaging and spoke-engaging portions. The tire-engaging and spoke-engaging portions and first and second sidewalls form a toroid. The rim when attached to the tire forms a side profile and a transverse cross section that positions a center of pressure of the rim.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A rim for a bicycle, the rim configured to attach to a tire and spokes of a bicycle wheel, the bicycle rim comprising:
 a tire-engaging portion; 
 a spoke-engaging portion disposed radially inward of the tire engaging portion; 
 a first sidewall; and 
 a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall, the first and second sidewalls extending between the tire-engaging and spoke-engaging portions; 
 the tire-engaging portion, the spoke-engaging portion, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall forming a toroid in a transverse cross section of the rim, 
 wherein the rim when attached to the tire forms a side profile and the transverse cross section positions a center of pressure on the side profile rearward of a steering axis of the rim. 
 
     
     
       2. The rim of  claim 1 , wherein the tire engaging portion and a spoke opening of the spoke-engaging portion are disposed in opposing sides of the toroid. 
     
     
       3. The rim of  claim 1 , wherein the transverse cross section formed by the rim and the tire mounted thereto is substantially elliptical in shape with the tire-engaging portion and the spoke-engaging portion forming opposing ends of the substantially elliptical shape. 
     
     
       4. The rim of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the maximum height of the rim to the maximum width of the rim ranges from 1.5 to 5. 
     
     
       5. The rim of  claim 1 , wherein a maximum height of the rim is greater than 40 millimeters. 
     
     
       6. The rim of  claim 1 , wherein a maximum height of the rim is greater than 7% of a diameter of the rim. 
     
     
       7. The rim of  claim 1 , wherein the transverse cross section positions the center of pressure on the side profile rearward and below a steering axis of the rim. 
     
     
       8. A rim for a bicycle configured for use with a tire, hub and spokes, the bicycle rim comprising:
 a tire-engaging portion; 
 a spoke-engaging portion disposed radially inward of the tire engaging portion; 
 a first sidewall; and 
 a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall, the first and second sidewalls extending between the tire-engaging and spoke-engaging portions; 
 the tire-engaging portion, the spoke-engaging portion, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall forming a toroid in a transverse cross section of the rim, 
 wherein the rim when attached to the tire forms a side profile and the transverse cross section positions a center of pressure on the side profile below a steering axis of the rim. 
 
     
     
       9. The rim of  claim 8 , wherein when the tire is attached to the tire-engaging portion, the rim and wheel transverse cross section is substantially elliptical in shape and the tire-engaging portion and the spoke-engaging portion form opposing ends of the elliptical shape. 
     
     
       10. The rim of  claim 8 , wherein a ratio of a maximum height of the rim to a maximum width of the rim ranges from 1.5 to 5. 
     
     
       11. The rim of  claim 8 , wherein a height of the rim is greater than 40 millimeters. 
     
     
       12. The rim of  claim 8 , wherein a maximum height of the rim is greater than 7% of a diameter of the rim. 
     
     
       13. The rim of  claim 8 , wherein the transverse cross section positions the center of pressure on the side profile below and rearward of a steering axis of the rim.